We hear it all of the time, the word Champion. World Champion, National Champion, Futurity Champion but the word champion can have totally different meanings depending on who you speak to.
What does it mean to us? Over our many years of showing and breeding Western Pleasure Horses we have seen many, many different interpretations of the word Champion with none being more or less important than the other. Here is just some of our thoughts on what makes a horse a Champion.
Firstly, yes there are the Winners. We have been extremely blessed during our years of breeding, owning and showing many National & Futurity Champions. They give us their best, they show us their talent, their great minds, their will to please us. These horses are CHAMPIONS.
Buckles, garlands and ribbons are all great, ultimately it is what everyone is striving for? For many of us there are the moments, the memories, the connections all different for everybody but one just as important as the other.
When it comes to horses, there are the magical ones (no they don’t do magic tricks) but they can make our dreams come true. Whether it is simply to be able to go for a trail ride, feel safe and confident in the saddle, compete at your first local show or win your first buckle at the Nationals, there are horses out there who have made someone’s dreams come true. These horses are CHAMPIONS.
Then there are the thieves (no not actual thieves) these horses steal your heart. They come into our lives and will never leave us. They seem to arrive at just the perfect moment. They can sense and respond to our feelings, offering a calming presence during both the happy and challenging times. They become our partners in healing, providing solace and a sense of accomplishment. They have an innate ability to bring joy into our lives. These horses are CHAMPIONS.
Lets not forget the teachers (yes teachers). They teach us about communication, they show us their cues from which we learn the importance of unspoken communication. They teach us patience and perseverance as training and building a relationship with a horse takes time and patience. They teach us that trust is a two-way street and once earned forms the foundation for a strong lifelong bond. They teach us to be adaptable, to be flexible and open minded. They teach us teamwork and collaboration and that working together towards a common goal is enriching for both them and us. These horses are CHAMPIONS.
And finally, there are Diamonds (yes they are diamonds). They are precious gifts which we are blessed to have in our lives. They are not defined by victories in the arena but rather by the gentle touch of their velvety muzzle and the calming energy that radiates from their presence. They are kind, they enrich our lives with a spirit that goes beyond competition. These horses foster bonds that go beyond the limitations of language and age. These horses are CHAMPIONS.
By just have these beautiful creatures in our lives we have been winners, had our dreams come true, felt joy and love, learned valuable life lessons and have received gifts more precious than the rarest diamonds.
We once here a saying from a very wise old cowboy which rings true to this day…
“ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE BEST HORSE DOESNT ALWAYS WIN THE FUTURITY”
Never a truer word has been spoken as THEY ARE ALL CHAMPIONS.